Embedded reporter tells world about Huntsman Scholars

It could be called the unauthorized look into the Huntsman Scholar Program.

When the Huntsman Scholars traveled to Belgium, France and Switzerland in fall 2010, they had an imbedded reporter, of sorts, with them. Landon Hemsley was expected to analyze, study and expand on his international experience visiting with business and civic leaders just like the other Huntsman Scholars. However, Mr. Hemsley had an additional responsibility that none of the other students shared.

Mr. Hemsley, a fifth-year senior double-majoring in management information systems and broadcast journalism and double-minoring in international business and Portuguese, is an intern with Utah Public Radio. He had been tasked with capturing his academic explorations as a Huntsman Scholar for the station. It meant that everywhere he went, he was trying to capture the experience on his digital recorder. Twice while traveling, he was interviewed on the air. When he came back, he produced a 30-minute feature piece for the UPR morning program Access Utah.

“I was trying to get unique sound,” he said, “sound you couldn’t get if you were in the United States. For example, the pipe organs at the cathedral of Notre Dame. You can’t get that here.”

He captured the famous music of Notre Dame, yes, but also much more. He recorded sirens and street performers, students and teachers, subways and protestors. He involved his fellow students, as well, interviewing the other Huntsman Scholars and getting their ideas and input every step of the way. He even interviewed Dean Douglas D. Anderson and his wife, Kathy Anderson, who caught up with the scholars in Paris.

"I’m sure my fellow students were just so irritated with me. I kept asking to them comment on this or talk about that,” Mr. Hemsley said, “but they were good about it.”

For Mr. Hemsley, it meant that when he came back he had to spend hours sifting through his recordings to find the slices that would best represent what happened on the trip. He said he wanted to communicate that the trip was a “fun and awesome” adventure, but he also needed to convey that the whole Huntsman Scholar experience proved to be an academic challenge.

“I think the first thing that everybody who is applying for the Huntsman Scholar Program needs to know is that it is very hard,” he said. “They are all about business, the international experience, the European Union and teaching students.”

Utah Public Radio gave the Jon M. Huntsman School of Business permission to post on the Huntsman website the story Mr. Hemsley created. Not everyone can go with the Huntsman Scholars as they explore the world, but listening to Mr. Hemsley’s experience might be the next best thing. Hear for yourself by clicking here.